The Old Man and The Sea by Ernest Hemingway- page 30

He was comfortable but suffering, although he did not admit the suffering at all.

• He was comfortable: The subject felt physically at ease. [hi wɑz ˈkəmfərtəbəl]
• but suffering: Despite being comfortable, the subject was also experiencing some form of distress or hardship. [bət ˈsəfərɪŋ]
• although he did not admit the suffering at all: The subject did not acknowledge or confess to experiencing any suffering. 'At all' emphasizes the complete denial. [ˌɔlˈðoʊ hi dɪd nɑt ədˈmɪt ðə ˈsəfərɪŋ æt ɔl]

''I am not religious,'' he said. ''But I will say ten Our Fathers and ten Hail Marys that I should catch this fish, and I promise to make a pilgrimage to the Virgin of Cobre if I catch him.

• I am not religious: The speaker states that they do not adhere to a particular religion or religious practices. The quotation marks indicate direct speech. [aɪ æm nɑt rɪˈlɪʤəs]
• he said: Attribution of the preceding words to a male speaker. [hi sɛd]
• But I will say ten Our Fathers and ten Hail Marys: The speaker promises to recite ten 'Our Father' prayers and ten 'Hail Mary' prayers, which are common prayers in the Catholic tradition. [bət aɪ wɪl seɪ tɛn ɑr ˈfɑðərz ənd tɛn heɪl marys]
• that I should catch this fish: The prayers are offered with the hope or intention of catching the fish. [ðət aɪ ʃʊd kæʧ ðɪs fɪʃ]
• and I promise to make a pilgrimage: The speaker vows to undertake a religious journey or visit to a sacred place. [ənd aɪ ˈprɑməs tɪ meɪk ə ˈpɪlgrəmɪʤ]
• to the Virgin of Cobre: The destination of the pilgrimage is the Virgin of Cobre, a significant religious figure in Cuban Catholicism. [tɪ ðə ˈvərʤɪn əv ˈkɑbrə]
• if I catch him: The pilgrimage is conditional upon catching the fish. [ɪf aɪ kæʧ ɪm]

He commenced to say his prayers mechanically.

• He commenced to say his prayers mechanically: He began to recite his prayers in a routine and unthinking manner. 'Commenced' means began, and 'mechanically' suggests a lack of feeling or focus. [hi kəˈmɛnst tɪ seɪ hɪz prɛrz məˈkænɪkli]

Sometimes he would be so tired that he could not remember the prayer and then he would say them fast so that they would come automatically.

• Sometimes he would be so tired: Occasionally, his fatigue would be so overwhelming. [ˈsəmˌtaɪmz hi wʊd bi soʊ taɪərd]
• that he could not remember the prayer: His tiredness would impair his memory, making it difficult to recall the words of the prayer. [ðət hi kʊd nɑt rɪˈmɛmbər ðə prɛr]
• and then he would say them fast: As a result, he would recite the prayers quickly. [ənd ðɛn hi wʊd seɪ ðɛm fæst]
• so that they would come automatically: The rapid recitation was intended to allow the prayers to be said without conscious effort, relying on memorization. [soʊ ðət ðeɪ wʊd kəm ˌɔtəˈmætɪkli]

Hail Marys are easier to say than Our Fathers, he thought.

• Hail Marys are easier to say than Our Fathers: The speaker finds the 'Hail Mary' prayer simpler to recite compared to the 'Our Father' prayer. [heɪl marys ər ˈiziər tɪ seɪ ðən ɑr ˈfɑðərz]
• he thought: This indicates the speaker's internal thought or reflection. [hi θɔt]

''Hail Mary full of Grace the Lord is with thee.

• Hail Mary: A traditional Catholic prayer asking for the intercession of the Virgin Mary [heɪl ˈmɛri]
• full of Grace: filled with divine grace or favor [fʊl əv greɪs]
• the Lord is with thee: God is present with you [ðə lɔrd ɪz wɪθ ði]

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

• Blessed: highly favored or holy [blɛst]
• art thou: archaic form of 'are you' [ɑrt ðaʊ]
• among women: in comparison to all women [əˈməŋ ˈwɪmən]
• and blessed: and highly favored or holy [ənd blɛst]
• is the fruit: refers to the offspring or child [ɪz ðə frut]
• of thy womb: of your body; referring to Jesus [əv ðaɪ wum]
• Jesus: the name of the son of God in Christian theology [ˈʤizəs]

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

• Holy Mary: Saint Mary; the mother of Jesus [ˈhoʊli ˈmɛri]
• Mother of God: a title given to Mary in Christianity [ˈməðər əv gɑd]
• pray for us: ask God for help on our behalf [preɪ fər ˈjuˈɛs]
• sinners: people who have committed sins [ˈsɪnərz]
• now: at the present time [naʊ]
• and at the hour: and at the specific time [ənd æt ðə aʊər]
• of our death: when we die [əv ɑr dɛθ]

Amen.'' Then he added, ''Blessed Virgin, pray for the death of this fish.

• Amen: so be it; a declaration of affirmation [ɑˈmɛn]
• Then: following that [ðɛn]
• he added: he said something more [hi ˈædɪd]
• Blessed Virgin: another title for the Virgin Mary, meaning 'holy virgin' [blɛst ˈvərʤɪn]
• pray for the death: ask for the end of life [preɪ fər ðə dɛθ]
• of this fish: referring to the fish the speaker is addressing [əv ðɪs fɪʃ]

With his prayers said, and feeling much better, but suffering exactly as much, and perhaps a little more, he leaned against the wood of the bow and began, mechanically, to work the fingers of his left hand.

• With his prayers said: After he finished praying [wɪθ hɪz prɛrz sɛd]
• and feeling much better: experiencing a significant improvement in his emotional or physical state [ənd ˈfilɪŋ məʧ ˈbɛtər]
• but suffering: however, still experiencing pain or distress [bət ˈsəfərɪŋ]
• exactly as much: precisely the same amount [ɪgˈzæktli ɛz məʧ]
• and perhaps: and possibly [ənd pərˈhæps]
• a little more: slightly more than before [ə ˈlɪtəl mɔr]
• he leaned: he rested his weight [hi lind]
• against the wood: on the wooden part [əˈgɛnst ðə wʊd]
• of the bow: the front part of the boat [əv ðə boʊ]
• and began: and started [ənd bɪˈgæn]
• mechanically: without conscious thought; automatically [məˈkænɪkli]
• to work: to move or manipulate [tɪ wərk]
• the fingers: the digits of his hand [ðə ˈfɪŋgərz]
• of his left hand: specifically, the fingers on his left hand [əv hɪz lɛft hænd]

The sun was hot now although the breeze was rising gently.

• The sun: referring to the star that provides light and warmth to the Earth [ðə sən]
• was hot: indicating a high temperature [wɑz hɑt]
• now: at the present time [naʊ]
• although: conjunction introducing a contrasting statement [ˌɔlˈðoʊ]
• the breeze: a gentle wind [ðə briz]
• was rising: increasing in strength or intensity [wɑz ˈraɪzɪŋ]
• gently: in a mild and gradual manner [ˈʤɛntli]

''I had better re-bait that little line out over the stern,'' he said. ''If the fish decides to stay another night I will need to eat again and the water is low in the bottle.

• I: The speaker referring to himself [aɪ]
• had better: expression indicating advice or a suggestion, meaning 'should' [hæd ˈbɛtər]
• re-bait: to put bait on a hook again [re-bait]
• that little line: referring to a fishing line, described as 'little' possibly due to its size or purpose [ðət ˈlɪtəl laɪn]
• out over the stern: extending outwards from the rear of the boat [aʊt ˈoʊvər ðə stərn]
• he said: dialogue tag indicating who is speaking [ hi sɛd]
• If: conditional conjunction [ɪf]
• the fish: referring to the fish the speaker is trying to catch [ðə fɪʃ]
• decides to stay: chooses to remain [ˌdɪˈsaɪdz tɪ steɪ]
• another night: for one more night [əˈnəðər naɪt]
• I will need: expressing future necessity [aɪ wɪl nid]
• to eat again: to consume food once more [tɪ it əˈgɛn]
• and: conjunction connecting two related statements [ənd]
• the water: referring to drinking water [ðə ˈwɔtər]
• is low: in short supply [ɪz loʊ]
• in the bottle: contained within the bottle [ɪn ðə ˈbɑtəl]

I don't think I can get anything but a dolphin here.

• I don't think: expressing a lack of belief or expectation [aɪ doʊnt θɪŋk]
• I can get: able to obtain [aɪ kən gɪt]
• anything but: nothing except [ˈɛniˌθɪŋ bət]
• a dolphin: referring to the marine mammal [ə ˈdɑlfən]
• here: in this location [hir]

But if I eat him fresh enough he won't be bad.

• But: conjunction introducing a contrasting statement [bət]
• if I eat him: conditional statement about consuming the dolphin [ɪf aɪ it ɪm]
• fresh enough: sufficiently fresh [frɛʃ ɪˈnəf]
• he won't be bad: it will be palatable [hi woʊnt bi bæd]

I wish a flying fish would come on board tonight.

• I wish: expressing a desire [aɪ wɪʃ]
• a flying fish: referring to a fish capable of leaping out of the water and gliding [ə flaɪɪŋ fɪʃ]
• would come on board: would arrive onto the boat [wʊd kəm ɔn bɔrd]
• tonight: this evening [təˈnaɪt]

But I have no light to attract them.

• But: conjunction introducing a contrasting statement [bət]
• I have no light: lacking a source of illumination [aɪ hæv noʊ laɪt]
• to attract them: to lure the flying fish [tɪ əˈtrækt ðɛm]

A flying fish is excellent to eat raw and I would not have to cut him up.

• A flying fish: referring to a fish capable of leaping out of the water and gliding [ə flaɪɪŋ fɪʃ]
• is excellent: of very high quality [ɪz ˈɛksələnt]
• to eat raw: suitable for consumption without cooking [tɪ it rɑ]
• and: conjunction connecting two related statements [ənd]
• I would not have: expressing a conditional lack of necessity [aɪ wʊd nɑt hæv]
• to cut him up: to prepare the fish by cutting it into pieces [tɪ kət ɪm əp]

I must save all my strength now.

• I must save: expressing necessity to conserve [aɪ məst seɪv]
• all my strength: the entirety of one's physical power [ɔl maɪ strɛŋθ]
• now: at the present time [naʊ]

''I'll kill him though,'' he said. ''In all his greatness and his glory.''

• I'll: Contraction of 'I will', indicating a future action by the speaker [aɪl]
• kill: To end the life of someone or something [kɪl]
• him: Referring to a male person previously mentioned or understood [ɪm]
• though: Despite something; however. The comma indicates a pause or separation from the previous statement [ðoʊ]
• he: Referring to a male person previously mentioned [hi]
• said: Past tense of 'say', indicating that the words were spoken [sɛd]
• In: Expressing inclusion or position within certain limits [ɪn]
• all: The whole quantity or extent of something [ɔl]
• his: Belonging to or associated with the male person previously mentioned [hɪz]
• greatness: The quality of being great; eminence [ˈgreɪtnəs]
• and: Used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• his: Belonging to or associated with the male person previously mentioned [hɪz]
• glory: High renown or honor won by notable achievements; magnificence [ˈglɔri]

Although it is unjust, he thought.

• Although: Despite the fact that; even though [ˌɔlˈðoʊ]
• it: Referring to a situation or concept previously mentioned [ɪt]
• is: Present tense of the verb 'to be', linking the subject to a description [ɪz]
• unjust: Not based on or behaving according to what is morally right and fair. The comma indicates a pause or separation from the following statement [ənˈʤəst]
• he: Referring to a male person previously mentioned [hi]
• thought: Past tense of 'think', indicating a thought process [θɔt]

But I will show him what a man can do and what a man endures.

• But: Used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something previously said [bət]
• I: The speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]
• will: Expressing a future intention or plan [wɪl]
• show: To allow or cause to be visible [ʃoʊ]
• him: Referring to a male person previously mentioned [ɪm]
• what: Asking for specification of something [wət]
• a: Indefinite article, referring to one of something [ə]
• man: An adult male human being [mæn]
• can: Expressing possibility or ability [kən]
• do: To perform an action [du]
• and: Used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• what: Asking for specification of something [wət]
• a: Indefinite article, referring to one of something [ə]
• man: An adult male human being [mæn]
• endures: To suffer (something painful or difficult) patiently [ɪnˈdʊrz]

''I told the boy I was a strange old man,'' he said.

• I: The speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]
• told: Past tense of 'tell', to communicate information to someone [toʊld]
• the: Definite article, referring to a specific boy [ðə]
• boy: A young male person [bɔɪ]
• I: The speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]
• was: Past tense of the verb 'to be' [wɑz]
• a: Indefinite article, referring to one of something [ə]
• strange: Unusual or surprising; difficult to understand or explain [streɪnʤ]
• old: Having lived for a long time; elderly [oʊld]
• man: An adult male human being. The comma indicates a pause or separation from the following statement [mæn]
• he: Referring to a male person previously mentioned [hi]
• said: Past tense of 'say', indicating that the words were spoken [sɛd]

''Now is when I must prove it.''

• Now: At the present time or moment [naʊ]
• is: Present tense of the verb 'to be' [ɪz]
• when: At what time; at or during the time that [wɪn]
• I: The speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]
• must: Expressing necessity or obligation [məst]
• prove: Demonstrate the truth or existence of (something) by evidence or argument [pruv]
• it: Referring to something previously mentioned or understood [ɪt]

The thousand times that he had proved it meant nothing.

• The: Definite article, referring to a specific instance [ðə]
• thousand: The number 1,000 [ˈθaʊzənd]
• times: Instances of something happening [taɪmz]
• that: Referring to a specific time [ðət]
• he: Referring to a male person previously mentioned [hi]
• had: Past perfect auxiliary verb [hæd]
• proved: Past participle of 'prove', to demonstrate the truth of something [pruvd]
• it: Referring to something previously mentioned [ɪt]
• meant: Past tense of 'mean', to signify or indicate [mɛnt]
• nothing: Not at all; to no extent [ˈnəθɪŋ]

Now he was proving it again.

• Now: At the present time or moment [naʊ]
• he: Referring to a male person previously mentioned [hi]
• was: Past tense of the verb 'to be' [wɑz]
• proving: Present participle of 'prove', to demonstrate the truth of something [ˈpruvɪŋ]
• it: Referring to something previously mentioned [ɪt]
• again: Once more [əˈgɛn]

Each time was a new time and he never thought about the past when he was doing it.

• Each: Every one of two or more people or things, regarded and identified separately [iʧ]
• time: An instance of something happening [taɪm]
• was: Past tense of the verb 'to be' [wɑz]
• a: Indefinite article, referring to one of something [ə]
• new: Recently made, invented, or developed [nu]
• time: An instance of something happening [taɪm]
• and: Used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• he: Referring to a male person previously mentioned [hi]
• never: At no time in the past or future [ˈnɛvər]
• thought: Past tense of 'think', to have a particular belief or idea [θɔt]
• about: Concerning or regarding [əˈbaʊt]
• the: Definite article, referring to a specific past [ðə]
• past: The time before the present [pæst]
• when: At or during the time that [wɪn]
• he: Referring to a male person previously mentioned [hi]
• was: Past tense of the verb 'to be' [wɑz]
• doing: Present participle of 'do', to perform an action [duɪŋ]
• it: Referring to something previously mentioned [ɪt]